New exhibition reimagines Cook’s 1770 encounter. At the Australian National Maritime Museum

The story of James Cook‘s voyage along the Australian east coast is one we all know well. Historical perspectives of Cook’s first interactions with Aboriginal people have been told through the artworks and diary entries of Banks, Cook and his crew. But what if you had an opportunity to hear the story from different perspectives? How would this change your understanding of history and how are these past encounters relevant to Australians today? These are the questions posed by East Coast Encounter – re-imagining 1770, a new exhibition of works by Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian artists, writers and songwriters opening at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 9 May 2014.

Paintings, photographs, videos and sculptures feature alongside a documentary DVD by Australian journalist Jeff McMullen AM, which gives further voice to the artists and records their encounters with significant contact sites and traditional owners. One key image is a photograph by Michael Cook, Undiscovered #4, which reverses expected roles by depicting an Indigenous man dressed as an imaginary explorer on the shore with a tall ship behind him. The Australian National Maritime Museum is pleased to have recently acquired a complete limited edition set of the Undiscovered series.

Peter Hudson’s work Cook & Banks pays homage to the friendship and successful partnership between these two men. He positions an excerpt from Cook’s diary in brightly coloured writing next to detailed drawings of Cook and Banks. In contrast, Reg Mombassa’s Jim Cook Mugshot portrays Cook in the style of a ‘Wanted’ poster that states ‘executed for armed robbery by the people of the south Pacific – Feb 14th 1779’.

Cook & Banks – Peter Hudson.Click for more information on the exhibition.

Another significant inclusion is a translation of a song dating back to the time of Cook’s voyage which has been passed down by Badtjala people from K’gari or Fraser Island. It starts with the line ‘Strangers are travelling with a cloud’ and tells of Cook’s passing of Indian Head on the island.

The National Maritime Museum is delighted to be the first venue to host this powerful new exhibition. It is a significant contribution to NAIDOC and Reconciliation Weeks and complements the museum’s ongoing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs.

By presenting this shared story from varied perspectives, the exhibition aims to promote cultural dialogue and reconciliatory understanding.

East Coast Encounter opens at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 9 May 2014 and will travel to regional centres in NSW and QLD from August 24th. Entry is included in the museum’s galleries ticket – $7 per adult, $3.50 per child/concession and $17.50 per family.

1 Comment

After viewing the exhibition, I was impressed by the variety of inspiring and imaginative works on display. And I learnt a lot of new facts about Australian history. Thanks for your in-depth article.
If you’ve visited East Coast Encounter, I’d love to hear your perspective on my exhibition review blog, where I’ve chosen my 5 favourite works on display: http://wp.me/p3Z96W-1M